Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor who is currently the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, is hearing footsteps according to a new poll released on Monday -- and they belong to Gov. Rick Perry of Texas.
The new poll from Rasmussen Reports shows Romney leading the pack with 22 percent, with Perry --who has not officially entered the race --in second with 18 percent. U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, who has been gaining in the polls during the summer but has been surpassed by Perry in recent ones, took third with 16 percent. U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas came in fourth with 10 percent, with businessman Herman Cain in fifth with 9 percent. Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich came in sixth place with 6 percent.
The rest of the field continues to struggle in the poll. Despite high expectations for their campaigns, former Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota came in seventh with 3 percent. Jon Huntsman, the former governor of Utah and ambassador to China, continued to flop, taking 2 percent in the Rasmussen poll. Four candidates -- former Gov. Gary Johnson of New Mexico, former Gov. Buddy Roemer of Louisiana, former U.S. Sen. Rick Sanorum of Pennsylvania and U.S. Rep. Thad McCotter of Michigan -- took less than 1 percent in the poll.
The poll of 1,000 likely Republican primary voters was taken on July 28 and had a margin of error of +/- 3 percent.
Despite the fact that he has not been included in the Iowa straw poll which will be held in less than two weeks, Perry backers are starting to look at the Hawkeye State which will hold the first presidential caucus. They have launched a new ad which is hitting Iowa airwaves and Perry supporters are promising that similiar ads will be appearing in other key states including Florida.
The new ad, which is being run by Jobs for Iowa, a super PAC, focuses on Perrys record on jobs, noting that in the last two years more jobs have been created in Texas than the other 49 states combined. The ad also plays up Perrys conservative credentials, noting that he has pushed balanced budgets during his tenure in Austin.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
